Lightweight handle

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is a light weight handle assembly adapted to transport a heavy duty container which may contain sensitive electronic components. The handle assembly of the present invention generally comprises a stationary bracket which mounts to a container wall and a movable handle pivotally connected to the bracket. The bracket is formed with an inner portion that is adapted to rotatably engage with a pair of pivoting arms extending from the movable handle so that the light weight handle may easily be assembled and disassembled. The stationary bracket is also formed with two stationary stop members while each of the pivoting arms are formed with a corresponding movable stop member. The stationary stop members and movable stop members each have a substantially planar contact surface which are designed such that when the movable handle is pivoted to the lifting/operative position, the movable stop members are in contact with the stationary stop members with less stress in the materials than in conventional handles. The lower stresses enable a strong handle to be made of plastic material such as polyethylene.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to handles and more particularlyto lightweight handles for lifting and transporting heavy-dutycontainers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The use of handles for lifting and transporting various objects is wellknown. For certain applications, it is desirable to use a handle that islight in weight, yet provides a stable and durable mechanism for liftingheavy objects. This is particularly true in the case of roto-moldedplastic containers which are designed for the transport and handling ofinstruments and electronic equipment in hazardous environments such asthose typically found in military, geophysical and news serviceapplications.

In the above application, the weight and size of loaded containersnecessitate that two or more handles be distributed about the outside ofthe containers. Said handles are normally required to lie flat againstthe sides of the containers when not in use. When the container is beingcarried by the handles, however, the handles are required to stop withtheir bales perpendicular to the container wall so that the fingers ofpeople lifting the container are not compressed between the handle balesand the walls of the container. Such a handle needs to be capable oflifting heavy-duty containers in the normal upward direction whileexperiencing heavy side loads and outward pulls. It is also desirablethat the handle be capable of quick assembly during commercialproduction and/or disassembly to replace parts at the customer's site.

A handle developed by the applicants of the present invention is shownin U.S. Pat. No. 5,012,533. Handles of this type, although providing therequired strength with less weight than prior conventional handles, arenot without their drawbacks. First, the metal bale requires precisebending in two directions and must be heat-treated. For strength andeconomy, high carbon steel is used which must be plated. Finally, asmany as twelve parts must be assembled to make the final handle.Although the performance of such handles is good and achieved at lowweight, the cost of manufacture is relatively high.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One object of the present invention is to provide a handle assemblywhich substantially eliminates any relative movement between the handleand the container during transportation.

A second object of the present invention is to provide a handle assemblythat is easy to assemble and disassemble thereby increasing productionefficiency.

A third object of the present invention is to provide a strong, lighthandle that will not corrode nor be weakened by chemical attack.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a handle which ismore durable and reliable thereby increasing the effective life span ofthe handle.

The above objects are realized by the present invention which is a lightweight handle assembly adapted so that a user can stably lift andtransport a heavy-duty container. In one embodiment, the handle assemblygenerally comprises a stationary bracket that mounts to a container walland a movable handle which is pivotally connected to the bracket. Inoperation, when the stationary bracket is attached to the containerwall, the movable handle may be pivoted between an inoperative positionand an operative position. When the stationary bracket is removed orunattached from the container wall, the movable handle may be pivoted toa disengaged position where it may be easily assembled to or unassembledfrom the stationary bracket. This latter feature provides a handleassembly that is compatible with high production environments and whichcan be manufactured from a small amount of components.

The stationary bracket is also formed with two stationary stop members.Similarly, the movable handle is formed with two movable stop members.The stationary and movable stop members have substantially planarcontact surfaces that are adapted so that when the movable handle ispivoted to its operative position, the movable stop members are insubstantial stable contact with the stationary stop members.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following detailed description will become better understood withreference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a front view showing the light weight handle assembly of thepresent invention mounted to a container;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a rear view of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a side view showing the light weight handle assembly of thepresent invention in an inoperative position;

FIG. 6 is a side view showing the light weight handle assembly of thepresent invention in an operative position;

FIG. 7 is a side view showing the light weight handle assembly of thepresent invention in a disengaged position;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the movable handle of the presentinvention;

FIG. 9 is a cross-section view taken along line 9—9 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 10 is a cross-section view taken along line 10—10 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 11 is a cross-section view taken along line 11—11 of FIG. 4 showinga view of the spring attachment portion of the present invention; and,

FIG. 12 is a rear perspective view of the stationary bracket.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIG. 1, the light weight handle assembly 10 according tothe present invention is shown. The handle assembly 10 generallycomprises a stationary bracket 12 mounted to a container wall 14 whichmay be a wall of a roto-molded container or any other container used tocarry objects such as sensitive electronic equipment. The handleassembly 10 further comprises a movable handle 16 which is pivotallyconnected to the stationary bracket 12. When the stationary bracket 12is connected to the container wall 14, the movable handle 16 may bepivoted between an inoperative position (FIG. 5) and an operativeposition (FIG. 6). When the stationary bracket 12 is not attached to oris removed from the container wall 14, the movable handle 16 may bepivoted to a disengaged position (FIG. 7) wherein the movable handle 16may be easily assembled to or disassembled from the stationary bracket12. This feature of the present invention allows the handle assembly 10to be quickly assembled, thereby increasing production efficiency.

To stabilize the handle assembly 10 while the container is being carriedby the handle, the stationary bracket 12 is provided with stationarystop members 18 and 20 while the movable handle 16 is provided withmovable stop members 22 and 24. The movable stop members 22 and 24 andthe stationary stop members 18 and 20 are adapted to engage with eachother to thereby limit the pivotal movement of the movable handle 16between its inoperative position (FIG. 5) and its operative position(FIG. 6). As will be described more fully herein, both the stationarystop members 18 and 20 and the movable stop members 22 and 24 areprovided with substantially planar contact surfaces which increases theeffective contact area and reduces the compressive stress in the stopmembers.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 8, the movable handle 16 comprises a handgripping portion 26 adapted to be comfortably grasped by a user's hand.The movable handle 16 further comprises a pair of pivoting arms 28 and30 that extend from the hand gripping portion 26 and which are generallyparallel to each other. As best shown by FIGS. 4 and 8, the movablehandle 16 further comprises rotating pivot portions 32 and 34 whichextend from the distal end of the pivoting arms 28 and 30, respectivelyand which are generally disposed parallel to the hand gripping portion26.

With reference to FIG. 8, the rotating pivot portions 32 and 34 comprisecylindrical portions 36 and 38, respectively, which are adapted tofreely rotate within a corresponding cylindrical shaped cavity portions40 and 42 extending inward from a rear surface 44 of the stationarybracket 12. Cylindrical portions 36 and 38 are captured within the firstand second cavity portions 40 and 42 by means of a retainer 48 formed atthe upper portion of the cavity portions 40 and 42. When the movablehandle 16 is in its operative position (FIG. 6), the cylindricalportions 36 and 38 are in bearing contact with their correspondingcavity portions 40 and 42.

With continued reference to FIG. 8, each of the rotating pivot portions32 and 34 further comprise a key-way or recess 46 which is adapted suchthat when the movable handle 16 is pivoted to its disengaged position(FIG. 7), the key-ways 46 are in substantial alignment with theretainers 48. In this disengaged position, the cylindrical portions 36and 38 of rotating pivot portions 32 and 34 may be easily assembled toor disassembled from cavity portions 40 and 42 of the stationary bracket12.

Still referring to FIG. 8, each of the rotating pivot portions 32 and 34further comprise a semi-circular shaped flange portion 50 protrudingfrom respective ends of the cylindrical portions 36 and 38 which areadapted to freely rotate within corresponding cylindrical shaped cavityportions 52 which extend inward from the rear surface 44 of thestationary bracket 12. When the flange portions 50 are disposed withinthe cavity portions 52, the axial movement of the cylindrical portions36 and 38 and therefore the movable member is limited.

The rotating pivot portion 34 further comprises a spring support portion56 disposed adjacent to and extending from the cylindrical portion 38.The spring support portion 56 is of generally cylindrical shape and isadapted to receive a torsion spring 58 (FIG. 4). The spring supportportion 56 is rotatable within a spring attachment cavity portion 60extending inward from the rear surface 44 of the stationary bracket 12.The spring support portion 56 comprises a groove 62 that is adapted tosecure one end of the torsion spring 58. The other end of the torsionspring 58 is secured within a channel 64 formed adjacent to the cavityportion 60.

The stationary stop members 18 and 20 are formed on an outside portion66 of the stationary bracket 12 while the movable stop members 22 and 24are formed on an outside portion 68 of the pivoting arms 28 and 30. Asbest shown by FIGS. 5 and 7, the stationary stop members 18 and 20 areeach formed with a substantially planar contact surface 70 which isoff-set an angle a to the container wall 14 and/or the rear surface 44of the stationary bracket 12. In the preferred embodiment, the angle ais about 45 degrees. Similarly, and as best shown by FIG. 7, the movablestop members 22 and 24 are each formed with a substantially planarcontact surface 72 which is off-set an angle b from a top surface 74 ofthe pivoting arms 28 and 30. In the preferred embodiment, the angle b isabout 45 degrees. In operation, when the movable handle 16 is pivotedfrom its inoperative position (FIG. 5) to its operative/lifting position(FIG. 6), the movable stop members 22 and 24 are brought intosubstantial contact with the stationary stop members 18 and 20. As such,the pivotal movement of the movable handle 16 between its inoperativeposition (FIG. 5) and its operative position (FIG. 6) is about 90degrees. Furthermore, the planar contour of the contact surfaces reducesthe relative movement between the movable handle 16 and the container.The surface area of the contact surfaces 70 and 72 is defined by alength l and a width w. This contact surface area provides for increasedstability of the handle assembly 10 when the movable handle 16 ispivoted to its operative/lifting position (FIG. 6) by reducing the shearforces and relative movement between the movable handle 16 and thecontainer.

As best shown by FIG. 12, the stationary bracket 12 also comprises aplurality of mounting lugs or bosses 82 disposed on the rear surface 44.In the preferred embodiment, the mounting lugs or bosses 82 extend fromthe rear surface 44 and provide shear strength between the bracket 12and the container wall 14. In this regard, the hand gripping portion 26of the movable handle 16 may be upwardly displaced an angle c from abottom surface 86 of the pivoting arms 28 and 30 to thereby facilitateinitial grasping of the hand gripping portion 26. In the preferredembodiment, the angle c is about 10 degrees. The mounting lugs 82 mayfurther comprise openings 84 adapted to receive a suitable fastener suchas a self-tapping screw and the like. Such fasteners are loaded intension only, and sealing against air passage is accomplished by theemployment of rubber-faced washers under the heads of the fasteners.

The stress-lowering improvements of the handle of the present inventionmay best be demonstrated with reference to FIG. 6. As shown, the handle16 is placed in its operative/lifting position by an upward force F_(L)applied to the hand gripping portion 26. As said handle 16 has twopivoting arms 28, the upward force on each arm 28 is F_(L)/2. Upwardrotation beyond 90° is prevented by a compressive stop force F_(s) inthe contact area between the movable and stationary stop members 22 and24 and 18 and 20 respectively, and a shear force in the pivot F_(p). Fora specific magnitude of F_(L), the stop force F_(s) is inverselyproportional to the moment arm J. Thus, to minimize F_(s), the momentarm J must be as large as possible. This is controlled by the thicknesst of the bracket 12 and the diameter of the pivot portions 32 and 34.When the thickness of the bracket 12 and the handle 16 are approximatelythe same, the moment arm J will be maximized when the angle of the planebetween the axis of the pivot portions 32 and 34 and the stop areas 18,20, 22 and 24 is 45° relative to the horizontal. In the preferredembodiment where said angle is 45°, said moment arm J is approximately1.5 times greater than when contact between the movable stop members andstationary stop members is horizontal. Thus, for the same lifting forceF_(L), the compressive stress in the stop member area of the handle 16is approximately 33% less. This stress-lowering improvement in thehandle 16 makes it possible to produce said handle from polyethylene andthe like.

As will be clear to those skilled in the art, a change in the ratio ofbracket thickness to handle thickness will dictate a change in the anglefor maximizing the moment arm J.

The stationary bracket 12 and the movable handle 16 may be made from avariety of materials, including but not limited to, polyethylene or anyhigh strength thermoplastic material. To realize additional weightreduction and to reduce material costs and molding time, material fromthe stationary bracket 12 and the movable handle 16 may removed invarious places without significantly reducing the load/strengthrequirements of the components. By way of example only, the pivotingarms 28 and 30 may be formed with cut-outs 76 (FIG. 5) which eliminate alarge amount of material and ribs 78 may be formed to maintain thestrength requirements. Similarly, the hand gripping portion 26 may beformed with a hollow inner portion 80 thereby also reducing asignificant amount of material.

Except for the torsion spring 58 and mounting bolts (not shown), all offeatures of the handle assembly 10 heretofore described are formedintegral to either the stationary bracket 12 or the movable handle 16.This feature provides a handle assembly 10 that is compatible with highproduction environments and which is reliable and durable. Thestationary bracket 12 and the movable handle 16 may be manufactured byconventional molding processes suitable for use with thermoplasticmaterials.

The foregoing description is intended primarily for purposes ofillustration. This invention may be embodied in other forms or carriedout in other ways without departing from the spirit or scope of theinvention. Modifications and variations still falling within the spiritor the scope of the invention will be readily apparent to those of skillin the art.

What is claimed is:
 1. A handle assembly disposed on a container wallfor lifting and transporting said container, the handle assemblycomprising: a stationary bracket member affixed to the container wall,said bracket member having inner and outer portions; a movable handlemember comprising a hand grip portion and first and second armsextending from said hand grip portion, each of said first and secondarms including an outer portion and a pivot portion substantiallyparallel to said hand grip portion, each of said pivot portions beingrotatable within said inner portion of said stationary bracket member sothat said movable handle member may be pivoted between a first positionand a second position; first and second stationary stop members disposedon the outer portion of said stationary bracket member; and first andsecond movable stop members disposed on the outer portion of said firstand second arms of said movable handle; each of said stationary stopmembers and movable stop members having a substantially planar contactsurface which come into contact when said movable handle is pivoted fromits first position to its second position so as to limit said pivotalmovement of said movable handle; and said planar contact surfaces ofsaid movable handle and said stationary bracket being disposed at anangle of about 45 degrees with respect to the container wall when incontact with one another whereby said movable handle is positioned suchthat said arms thereof are at an angle of approximately 90 degrees withrespect to said container wall.
 2. The handle assembly of claim 1,wherein said inner portion of said stationary bracket member includesfirst and second retainer members for retaining said first and secondpivot portions of said movable handle member.
 3. The handle assembly ofclaim 1, wherein said each of said pivot portions of said movable handlemember further includes a cylindrical portion adapted to rotate withinsaid inner portion of said stationary bracket member.
 4. The handleassembly of claim 3, A handle assembly disposed on a container wall forlifting and transporting said container, the handle assembly comprising:a stationary bracket member affixed to the container wall, said bracketmember having inner and outer portions; a movable handle membercomprising a hand grip portion and first and second arms extending fromsaid hand grip portion, each of said first and second arms including anouter portion and a pivot portion substantially parallel to said handgrip portion, each of said pivot portions being rotatable within saidinner portion of said stationary bracket member so that said movablehandle member may be pivoted between a first position and a secondposition; first and second stationary stop members disposed on the outerportion of said stationary bracket member; first and second movable stopmembers disposed on the outer portion of said first and second arms ofsaid movable handle; each of said stationary stop members and movablestop members having a substantially planar contact surface which comeinto contact when said movable handle is pivoted from its first positionto its second position so as to limit said pivotal movement of saidmovable handle; said planar contact surfaces of said movable handle andsaid stationary bracket being disposed at an angle of about 45 degreeswith respect to the container wall when in contact with one anotherwhereby said movable handle is positioned such that said arms thereofare at an angle of approximately 90 degrees with respect to saidcontainer wall; wherein said each of said pivot portions of said movablehandle member further includes a cylindrical portion adapted to rotatewithin said inner portion of said stationary bracket member; and whereineach of said pivot portions of said movable handle member furtherincludes a flange portion extending outwardly from said cylindricalportion so as to limit the axial movement of said pivot portion withinsaid inner portion of said stationary bracket member.
 5. The handleassembly of claim 4, wherein said first pivot portion further includes aspring support member axially disposed with said cylindrical portion anda torsion spring member disposed thereon, said spring support memberhaving a spring attachment portion for securing one end of said torsionspring, said other end of said torsion spring being attached to saidstationery bracket member.
 6. The handle assembly of claim 5, whereinsaid inner portion of said stationary bracket member comprises a firstcavity for rotatably receiving said first pivot portion of said firstarm and a second cavity for rotatably receiving said second pivotportion of said second arm, said first retainer member being disposed insaid first cavity and said second retainer being disposed in said secondcavity.
 7. The handle assembly of claim 6, wherein said inner portion ofsaid stationary bracket member further includes a third cavity forreceiving said flange portion of said first pivot portion of said firstarm and a fourth cavity for receiving said flange portion of said secondpivot portion of said second arm.
 8. A handle assembly for lifting acontainer and constructed to reduce stress in the handle assembly,comprising: a) stationary stop members connected with said container; b)a bracket having an axial opening, said bracket being mountable on awall of said container; c) a hand grip assembly including a hand gripportion and two extension portions extending from both ends of said handgrip portion, said two extension portions each extending generallyperpendicularly to said hand grip portion and in the same direction asone another, said two extension portions each having stop membersthereon, said portions being adapted to simultaneously engage saidbracket in a hinged relationship such that said hand grip assembly ispivotable from an inoperative position to an operative position whereinsaid stop members upon said two extensions contact said stationary stopmembers on said container at about a 45° angle to said wall upon whichsaid handle assembly is mounted and said extension portions are at anangle of approximately 90 degrees to said container wall.
 9. A handleassembly as claimed in claim 8 wherein when said handle assembly isunattached to said container, said hand grip assembly is disengageablefrom said bracket.
 10. A handle assembly disposed on a container wallfor lifting and transporting said container, the handle assemblycomprising: a stationary bracket member affixed to the container wall,said bracket member having inner and outer portions; a movable handlemember comprising a hand grip portion and first and second armsextending from said hand grip portion, each of said first and secondarms including an outer portion and a pivot portion substantiallyparallel to said hand grip portion, each of said pivot portions beingrotatable within said inner portion of said stationary bracket member sothat said movable handle member may be pivoted between a first positionand a second position; first and second stationary stop members locatedto be contacted by first and second movable stop members disposed on theouter portion of said first and second arms of said movable handle; eachof said stationary stop members and movable stop members having asubstantially planar contact surface which come into contact when saidmovable handle is pivoted from its first position to its second positionso as to limit said pivotal movement of said movable handle; said planarcontact surfaces of said movable handle and said stationary stop membersbeing disposed at an angle of about 45 degrees with respect to thecontainer wall when in contact with one another whereby said movablehandle is positioned such that said arms thereof are at an angle ofapproximately 90 degrees with respect to said container wall.
 11. Ahandle assembly disposed on a container wall for lifting andtransporting said container, the handle assembly comprising: astationary bracket member affixed to the container wall, said bracketmember having inner and outer portions; a movable handle membercomprising a hand grip portion and first and second arms extending fromsaid hand grip portion, each of said first and second arms including anouter portion and a pivot portion substantially parallel to said handgrip portion, each of said pivot portions being rotatable within saidinner portion of said stationary bracket member so that said movablehandle member may be pivoted between a first position and a secondposition; first and second stationary stop members on said container;first and second movable stop members disposed on the outer portion ofsaid first and second arms of said movable handle; each of saidstationary stop members and movable stop members having a substantiallyplanar contact surface which come into contact when said movable handleis pivoted from its first position to its second position so as to limitsaid pivotal movement of said movable handle, said planar contactsurfaces of said movable handle and stationary stop members beingdisposed at an angle of about 45 degrees with respect to the containerwall when in contact with one another whereby said movable handle ispositioned such that said arms thereof are at an angle of approximately90 degrees with respect to said container wall; and said bracket andsaid moveable handle being substantially hollowed in predeterminedlocations whereby weight and material are reduced and strength ismaintained.